MJP –
Local officials are searching desperately for a 13-year-old child who has little knowledge of the area; the boy ran away from his mother at an Arizona car wash more than a month ago.
In the moments preceding Elijah Gumbus’s abduction, surveillance footage from the Weiss Guys Car Wash in Maricopa County, which USA TODAY received, reveals. He has been missing since Aug. 31. The footage shows the youngster, who is jogging westward while wearing a red shirt, jumping out of his mother’s car.
The video abruptly ends after Elijah’s mother repeatedly calls for his name.
Tolleson police Lt. Lee Garrett told KPNX that there are many areas where he could have met with someone, gotten away, hidden, or something similar. However, at this time, that is all the information and surveillance we have that could lead us to his location.
Tolleson Police Department/NCME captured the image of Elijah Gumbus, a 13-year-old.
“We are deeply worried.”
As for Elijah, Garrett has stated that the police have a “detective that is 100% dedicated to just this case at this point,” according to KPNX, and the search is ongoing.
The lieutenant expressed deep anxiety. “We’re very involved.”
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According to Garrett, as reported by the Arizona TV station, Elijah’s mother was in route from California to Louisiana for work when he went missing. The woman and youngster pulled over to the car wash, where the lieutenant stated that Elijah sprinted away as his mother was washing the vehicle.
Garrett expressed his concerns to KPNX, saying that the lack of ties between Elijah and his mother in Arizona further adds to the complexity and unease surrounding this issue.
According to the TV station’s reporting, police have verified that Elijah is not with either of his parents, and there have been custody disputes between them. Neither parent lives in Arizona.
His youth and lack of Arizona connections or family here are the most problematic things about him.
Garrett claims they have no idea how he could have connected with someone here or whether he simply fled. He would be noticeable because he is not a particularly large child. He appears quite youthful. So, we’re crossing our fingers that someone will see this and immediately dial 911 if they see him on the streets or in the company of someone he shouldn’t.
Tolleson police can be reached at 1-623-936-7186, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST can be reached by anybody with information regarding Elijah’s location.
